Princess Diana Showed She Cared By Giving This Up During The '90s Recession

With their vast property holdings and steady flow of cash from the Sovereign Fund, it’s probably safe to say that the royal family, as well as their luxurious lifestyle, is recession proof. But Princess Diana deeply felt the hardships that the masses were experiencing during the 1991-1992 U.K. recession, which showed in this very simple gesture that she did.

True to her moniker as the People’s Princess, Lady Di sympathized with the British people, who had to endure the hard economic times. Thus, she gave up something that she reportedly fought long and hard to get — her luxurious Mercedes sports car.

“She felt ill-at-ease driving such an ostentatious car during a time of economic hardship for many British people,” author Andrew Morton wrote in his book “Diana: Her True Story In Her Own Words.”

Her decision to give up her luxury sports car was also supported by her security team. Apparently, the car was so distinct that it’s hard for Princess Diana to go incognito on the road.

Morton wrote that due to the car’s visibility, driving it will expose Diana to additional risk. “On a practical level, the distinctive sports car was something of a security headache,” the writer added. “It was easily spotted by the paparazzi photographers who make their living following her around.”

And it’s not only the paparazzi that Princess Diana’s security detail is worried about. “As her bodyguards pointed out, if cameramen know where she is, so do those who could wish to do her hard,” Morton wrote.

According to the car manufacturer’s site, the exact model of Princess Diana’s sports car was the Mercedes-Benz 500 SL. It was delivered to the royal on December 1991.

However, the British press was not amused by Princess Diana’s car of choice. After the purchase, she became the first senior royal in 50 years to own a non-British made vehicle.

For choosing the Mercedes-Benz 500 SL, Princess Diana was accused of not supporting the British industry, which was a sensitive topic at a time when the country is in recession. Thus, returning the car to the dealer, which she did in September 1992, was also a move to silence her critics.

It’s interesting to note that after Diana returned the Mercedes, she bought another car that is not a British brand. According to the Chicago Tribune, she replaced it with a Ford, which is an American brand. However, the Ford Mondeo she bought was reportedly designed in Britain and also had a British engine.